Know Your Limits: Is There a Mom Limit?

So, how do other moms draw the line? Do you even have a line? With kids, health hiccups, school shenanigans, and holiday chaos, I feel like a race car on a slippery track, ready to spin out at any moment!

Ever since my trip to Mayo, I've been coughing like I’m auditioning for a role in a horror movie and apparently snoring like a rhinoceros in a sleepover. Tom and I have been playing musical couches because “he can’t believe that sound is coming out of my body.” (His words, not mine!) I feel a bit guilty since he’s been picking up my slack while due to my annoying health issue. I’m crossing my fingers that the thrush meds are working their magic, and this is just another chapter in my wild health rollercoaster. But let me tell you, taking my inhaler in the car on the way to work this week felt like a new low—like, “Is this really my life?” surreal!

This time of year feels like the universe decided to hit the "chaos" button, and with stress and the hellish meds, I'm pretty sure I'm one adult-sized tantrum away from becoming a literal tornado. But my ass is still out here trying—yes, trying—to give myself daily pep talks in order to maintain some sense of composure while providing the kids with a semblance of normalcy. This is definitely not a simple motivational 1:1 daily talk simply due to the amount of activities… oh, so many activities! Seriously, did we accidentally enroll the kids in an Olympic-level hamster wheel race? We totally play a part in our own madness. Why can’t we just unleash our inner “No” and take a chill pill?

Setting boundaries is about as easy as herding cattle for me! Especially when it comes to working… I genuinely love working and it’s always been a big part of my identity. It’s been my salvation from endless hours of sitting gonna couch feeling sorry for my medical drama but is there a magical boundary line? Is there such a thing as work-life-mom-health equilibrium? If someone out there has cracked this nut, please drop me a hint because you must be some kind of genius! Just yesterday wasn’t my end-of-week fiesta; I woke up to a 9am meeting today—yup, that’s right, a Saturday! Meanwhile, the kids were staging a minor rebellion at my door, eager to storm in and start a pillow fight. But hey, the show must go on!

Today really got me thinking about the old question: when is it time to hit the brakes? I was a whirlwind of productivity—making pancakes with Briggs this morning, engaging in a kitchen cabinet re-organization/food binge, tackling mountains of laundry, returning packages, venturing in mask to Whole Foods, unloading groceries like I was preparing for an apocalypse, and organizing all of Briggs' toys for holiday madness. But after all that chaos, I found myself gasping for air post-two nebulizer sessions... yikes! When I'm on a roll, it's like I'm part of a non-stop action movie, but boy, does the sequel come with a price. How do I convince myself to park my ass for a bit? I feel like an underachiever when I have to take a breather, reminiscing about the go-getter version of me—sans double chin and neck—who would’ve powered through. Now I'm more sluggish than a snail and I’m well aware there is a reason but doesn’t make me feel better. This mama needs to accept her current chapter of life and take a breather before diving headfirst into the chaos!

Today wrapped up with a grin as we decided to start unleashing the holiday spirit! And guess what? Briggs decided to show me how he can write his name and was beaming with pride! These are the little sprinkles of joy that makes motherhood a wild and wonderful ride, reminding me to embrace these moments….. no matter what is swirling around me daily.